PETALING JAYA: Luqman Hakim Shamsuddin was the hero for Negri Sembilan as his only goal ensured they beat Immigration 1-0 on aggregate in the Malaysia Cup round of 16.
In the first leg, both sides shared the spoils with a scoreless draw at the Batu Kawan Stadium on Jan 17. But the 23-year-old Luqman ensured the Deer got a slim 1-0 win in the second leg at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium on Sunday (Jan 24) and booked the final quarter-final spot.
Negri should have had the lead at the end of the first-half after they were awarded a penalty in the 45th minute after wingback A. Selvan was fouled by Immigration midfielder Pedro Santos.
However, Japanese midfielder Takumi Sasaki failed to convert it after his shot was saved by Immigration goalkeeper Zarif Irfan Hashimuddin.
Striker Luqman, operating on the right flank, broke the deadlock for the home side when he finished a superb cutback from wingback A. Selvan in the 62nd minute.
The score stayed 1-0 as Negri will now take on Selangor in the two-legged quarter-finals.
The first leg will be held at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium on Feb 8 and the second at the Petaling Jaya Stadium on Feb 14.
